Mass for October 7, 2021 for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia

Celebrated by Archbishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay OLM

Entrance Hymn

Lord, Your Cross Was Taken from the Tree Syriac: fsheeto 1. Alleluia! Lord, your cross was taken from the tree in Eden, and your death upon the cross has granted new life to all the world. In its shadow refuge can be found for the rich and poor. All the prophets and the martyrs sang its praises. On this day we join with them in giving glory. Alleluia! The cross is our light!

Opening Prayers Cel: lbai-tokh a-lo-ho ‘eh-let

waq-dom beem dee-lokh segh-det. mal-ko shma-yo-no ha-so lee khool dah-teet lokh.

I have entered your house, O God, and have worshipped before your throne. O King of heaven, forgive all my sins.

Cong: mal-ko shma-yo-no ha-so lan khool dah-tai-nan lokh.

O King of heaven, forgive all our sins.

sa-laow ‘a-lai meh-tool mo-ran.

Pray for me to the Lord.

Cong: a-lo-ho nqa-bel qoor-bo-nokh oo-net-ra-ham ‘a-lain bas-loo-tokh.

May God accept your offering and have mercy on us through your prayer.

Cel:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: Lord Jesus, make us worthy to celebrate the exaltation of your glorious cross with sacred hymns and psalms. When you appear on the last day and the sign of your cross will shine brighter than the sun, gather us before you, and surround us with your eternal light, that we may raise glory and thanks to you, to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: + Peace be with the Church and her children. Cong: Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace and good hope to all.

Prayer of Forgiveness

Cel: Let us raise glory, honour, and praise to the Saviour, who made the wood of his cross a strong fortress for his flock and established it as a sign of the covenant for the salvation of his inheritance. By his cross, he exalted his Church and gave joy to all people who believed in it. To the Good One

be glory and honour, on this feast, and all the days of our lives, and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: O Christ our God, by your precious cross you have given us perfect salvation and made us worthy to celebrate this feast with hymns of praise, proclaiming:

Blessed are you, O Wood of the Holy Cross, for you erased Adam’s curse and restored his banished children to their inheritance. Blessed are you, O Holy Cross, for you united heavenly and earthly beings. Blessed are you, O Holy Cross, for you fulfilled the words of the prophets, enlightened the apostles in their preaching, crowned the martyrs for their faith, and honoured the confessors for their loyalty.

Now, O Christ our Saviour, we ask you, with the fragrance of this incense, to make the celebration of the feast of the exaltation of your holy cross a sign of security and peace. By your cross, exalt your holy Church, guide her shepherds, adorn her priests with virtue, purify her deacons, help the elderly, educate children, direct the young, protect orphans, care for widows, and grant rest in your dwellings of light to our brothers and sisters who have died hoping in you. May we find refuge in the shadow of your cross on the great day of your second coming, that we may raise glory and thanks to you, to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Hymn Your Cross, O Lord Syriac: toobaik ‘eedto

1. Your cross, O Lord, had been lost but then was found through Saint Helen’s love and zeal. When the cross had been revealed, all the world was bathed in light

and the darkness disappeared. Now the Church in every place honours and adores your cross, for she has been saved from sin to inherit life on high.

2. Your cross, O Lord, is the key to paradise and unlocks its gates for us that were closed by Adam’s sin. It protects us from the fire and the place of punishment, for through it we have been saved. By your holy cross, O Lord, may we enter with the saints into heaven's lasting joy.

3. Lord, may your cross guard your holy, faithful Church everywhere throughout the world. Keep all scandal far from her; keep her free from harm and strife, that your lasting peace may reign for all ages yet to come. May the children of the Church find their shelter and their strength in the shadow of your cross.

Cel: Jesus Christ our Lord, accept these prayers and the fragrance of the incense that we have offered on the feast of the exaltation of your holy cross. May its sign always be visible before our eyes to strengthen us, that we may walk with you toward death and then stand at your right hand to celebrate the feast of your eternal victory. We glorify you, your Father, and your Holy Spirit, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Qadeeshat Aloho (You are holy, O God)

qa-dee-shat a-lo-ho. qa-dee-shat ha-yel-to-no. qa-dee-shat lo-mo-yoo-to. it-ra-ham ‘a-lain.

You are holy, O God. You are holy, O Strong One. You are holy, O Immortal One. Have mercy on us.

Cel: Holy and immortal Lord,

sanctify our minds and purify our consciences, that we may praise you with purity and listen to your Holy Scriptures. To you be glory, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Psalm of the Readings Syriac: ramremain

SIT

Cong: Guard the Church and her children with your cross of light and life. By your cross, O Redeemer, prophecies have been fulfilled.

Cel: With the sign of your cross, Lord,

you ordain your holy priests, and they give us the Mysteries through the power of your cross.

All: Lord, your cross is a ladder

leading us to heaven’s heights. May your Church and her children join the angel hosts on high.

Epistle Reader: A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. With your blessing. (1Thess 5: 1-11)

Cel: Glory to the Lord of Paul and the apostles! + May the mercy of God descend upon the reader and the listeners, and upon this diocese and her children, now and for ever.

Reader: Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Praise be to God always!

Gospel Cong: Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cantor: “The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Cong: Alleluia!

Deacon: Before the proclamation of the Gospel of our Saviour, announcing life for our souls, we offer this incense and ask for your mercy, O Lord.

Cel: + Peace be with you. Cong: And with your spirit.

Cel: From the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, who proclaimed life to the world. Let us listen to the proclamation of life and salvation for our souls.

Deacon: Remain silent, O listeners, for the Holy Gospel is about to be proclaimed to you. Listen and give glory and thanks to the Word of the living God.

Cel:

(Matt 24:45-51)

Jesus said, “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave

whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Cel: This is the truth! + Peace be with you.

Cong: Praise and blessings to Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, for giving us his words of life.

Homily

Creed

STAND

All:

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Pre-Anaphora

Approach to the Altar

Cel: ee-tel-wot ma-deb-heh da-lo-ho wal-wot a-lo-ho dam-ha-deh tal-yoot. weh-no bsoo-ghod tai-boo-tokh eh-‘ool-lel bai-tokh wes-ghoo-deb hai-yek-lod qood-shokh.

I will go to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth. Through the abundance of your goodness I will enter your house and worship in your holy temple.

Cong: bdeh-hel-tokh mor-yo da-ba-rain wab-za-dee-qoo-tokh a-leh-fain

Guide me, O Lord, in your fear, and instruct me in your justice.

Cel:

sa-laow ‘a-lai meh-tool mo-ran.

Pray for me to the Lord.

Cong: a-lo-ho nqa-bel qoor-bo-nokh oo-net-ra-ham ‘a-lain bas-loo-tokh.

May God accept your offering and have mercy on us through your prayer.

Transfer and Presentation of the Offerings

The Lord Reigns Syriac: fsheeto

Cong: The Lord reigns clothed in majesty.

Alleluia! Our Lord Jesus said: “I am the Bread of Life. From the Father I was sent as Word without flesh to give new life. Of the Virgin Mary I was born, taking flesh as man; as good earth receives a seed, her womb received me. Priestly hands now lift me high above the altars.” Alleluia. Our gifts, Lord, receive.

Cel: Almighty Lord and God, you accepted the offerings of our ancestors. Now accept these offerings that your children have brought to you out of their love for you and for your holy name. Shower your spiritual blessings upon them and, in place of their earthly gifts, grant them life and your kingdom.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: As we remember our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation for us, we recall upon this offering all those who have pleased God from Adam to this day, especially Mary, the blessed Mother of God, Saint Maroun, Saint Charbel, Saint Rafqa, St Nehmetallah, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and all the saints.

Remember, O God, the children of the holy Church: our fathers and mothers, and our brothers and sisters, both the living and the departed, especially those for whom this sacrifice is offered.

Remember also all those who share with us today in this offering.

Cong: Amen.

Marian Hymn in Syriac

Anaphora of the Twelve Apostles Rite of Peace

SIT

Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: Merciful and Holy Lord and Father, through your only-begotten Son, you have prepared this spiritual banquet for us. Accept the offering of this bloodless sacrifice and grant us the gift of your Holy Spirit. Make us worthy to give one another the greeting of peace with pure hearts and divine love, that we may raise glory and thanks to you, to your only Son, and to your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: Peace to you, O Altar of God. Peace to the Holy Mysteries placed upon you. Peace to you, my brothers and sisters.

Deacon: Let us give the greeting of peace to our neighbour with love and faith that are pleasing to God.

Cong: Peace, love, and faith, brothers and sisters, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and may the God of peace be with us. Amen.

Cel: O Lord, may your peace and security, and your true love and divine mercy, be with us and among us all the days of our lives, that we may raise glory and thanks to you, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: O Lord, we bow before you and ask you to look upon us with mercy. Make us worthy to approach your holy altar with pure hearts and holy souls and bodies, that we may raise glory and thanks to you, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

STAND

Cel: The love of God the Father +, and the grace of the only-begotten Son +, and the communion and indwelling of the Holy Spirit + be with you, my brothers and sisters, for ever.

Cong: And with your spirit.

Cel: Let us lift up our thoughts, our minds, and our hearts.

Cong: We lift them up to the Lord.

Cel: Let us give thanks to the Lord with reverence and worship him with humility.

Cong: It is right and just.

Cel: Truly it is right and just to glorify and praise you, O God the Father, for you are holy and the giver of life. You are blessed, with your only-begotten Son and your living Holy Spirit. You are surrounded by the cherubim and seraphim, who sing with pure voices and heavenly melodies. They cry out, glorify, and proclaim:

Cong: Holy, holy, holy, mighty Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your great glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who has come and will come in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Cel: Holy, holy, holy are you, God the Father, full of mercy; holy is your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; and holy is your life-giving Spirit. You are holy and the giver of all that is good. For our salvation, your only-begotten Son became flesh of the pure Virgin Mary, and by his divine plan he saved and redeemed us.

Cel: (taking the bread in his hands and praying in Syriac)

wa-byaow-mo haow daq-dom ha-sho dee-leh ma’-bed ha-yeh en-sa-bel lah-mo bee-daow qa-dee-sho-to oo-ba-rekh oo-qa-desh waq-so oo-ya-bel tal-mee-daow kad o-mar:

sab a-khool meh-neh kool-khoon ho-no den ee-taow fagh-ro deel dah-lo-fai-koon wah-lof sa-gee-yeh meh-teq-seh oo-meh-tee-heb lhoo-so-yod haow-beh wal-ha-yeh dal-'o-lam 'ol-meen.

And on the day before his life-giving passion, he took bread in his holy hands. He blessed, sanctified, and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body which is broken and given for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life.

Cong: Amen.

The Celebrant bows.

Cel: (taking the chalice in his hands and praying in Syriac)

ho-kha-no 'al ko-so dam-zeegh wo men ham-ro oo-men ma-yo ba-rekh oo-qa-desh oo-ya-bel tal-mee-daow kad o-mar:

sab esh-taow meh-neh kool-khoon ho-no den ee-taow dmo deel dee-ya-tee-qee hda-to dah-lo-fai-koon wah-lof sa-gee-yeh meh-teh-shed oo-meh-tee-heb lhoo-so-yod haow-beh wal-ha-yeh dal-'o-lam 'ol-meen.

In a similar way, over the chalice of wine mixed with water, he blessed and sanctified it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which will be poured out and given for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life.

Cong: Amen.

The Celebrant bows.

Cel: Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do so in memory of me until I come again.

Cong: We remember your death, O Lord. We profess your resurrection. We await your second coming. We implore your mercy and compassion. We ask for the forgiveness of sins. May your mercy rest upon us.

Cel: O Lord, Lover of all people, we remember your plan of salvation, and we ask you to have mercy on your worshippers, and to save your inheritance when you appear at the end of time to reward all people justly according to their deeds. For this, your Church implores you and, through you and with you, implores your Father, saying:

Cong: Have mercy on us, Almighty Father. Have mercy on us.

Cel: O Lord, as we, your sinful children, receive your graces, we thank you for them and because of them.

Cong: We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. We glorify you. We profess our faith in you and we ask you: Have compassion on us, O God. Have mercy on us and hear us.

Deacon:

How awesome is this moment, my beloved, for the living Holy Spirit descends and rests upon this offering for our sanctification. Let us stand with reverence as we pray.

Cel: Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us. Send us your life-giving Spirit from heaven to hover over this offering, to make it the life-giving Body and Blood, and to pardon and sanctify us.

Cel:

Hear us, O Lord. Hear us, O Lord. Hear us, O Lord. And may your living Holy Spirit come and rest upon us and upon this offering.

Cong: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison.

Cel: That by his descent he may make this bread + the Body of Christ our God.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: And make the mixture in this chalice + the Blood of Christ our God.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: May these Holy Mysteries be for the forgiveness of sins, the healing of souls and bodies, and the strengthening of consciences, so that none of your faithful may perish. Rather, make us worthy to live by your Spirit and lead a pure life, and we raise glory to you, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Intercessions SIT

Cel: We offer you, O Lord, this divine sacrifice for your Church, especially for our fathers and shepherds: Francis, the Pope of Rome, Bechara Peter, our Patriarch of Antioch, Antoine-Charbel, our Bishop, and all the bishops of the true faith. With blameless lives and with purity and holiness, may they guide your Church and present to you a faithful people who honour your name. We pray to you, O Lord.

Cong: Lord, have mercy.

Reader: Lord Jesus, we honour the memory of your Holy Cross. Through it you have erased the debt of our sins and have made all things new. Your cross is our hope and by its power our weakness will become strength. May we have the courage to take up our own crosses and to follow you.

We pray to you, O Lord.

Cong: Lord, have mercy.

Reader: Lord Jesus, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary. Like your Holy Cross, it is a weapon against evil and a sign of victory. We ask that through it we may overcome our attachment to sin, trusting fully in the intercession of your Blessed Mother.

We pray to you, O Lord.

Cong: Lord, have mercy.

Reader: Lord Jesus, you sent the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to be with your Church forever. As the Plenary Council now meets, open the hearts and minds of the Council members

to listen to what the Spirit is saying. May they be receptive to your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, as they work towards the renewal of the Catholic Church in Australia.

We pray to you, O Lord.

Cong: Lord, have mercy.

Reader: Lord Jesus, in this year of St Joseph, bless our parish family who carries his name. Grant us his protection and his prayers so that we may grow in love, and be able to see Christ in each other and in all the people we meet.

We pray to you, O Lord.

Cong: Lord, have mercy.

Cel: Remember, O Lord, the faithful departed who have left us and have gone to their rest hoping in you, awaiting that life-giving voice calling them to life. Accept the offerings we present to you on their behalf, and have mercy on them in your kingdom, for the only one who has appeared on earth who, by nature, is without sin is our Lord Jesus. Through him, we hope to find mercy and forgiveness for our sins and for theirs.

Cong: Grant rest, O God, to the departed, and forgive the sins we have committed with or without full knowledge.

Cel: Grant us pardon, O God, and forgive us and the departed, + so that your blessed name may be glorified in us and in all things, with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of your living Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: As it was, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

[Hymn in Syriac]

Elevation Prayer All: STAND

O Lord, you are the pleasing Oblation, who offered yourself for us. You are the forgiving Sacrifice, who offered yourself to your Father. You are the High Priest, who offered yourself as the Lamb. Through your mercy, may our prayer rise like incense which we offer to your Father through you. To you be glory for ever.

Lord’s Prayer and Penitential Rite Cel: Compassionate Lord, may we, your lowly servants, be

made worthy to pray with purity and holiness and to call upon you, saying:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Cel: Yes, O Lord, Lover of all people, deliver us from the Evil One and from his deceitful ways, and do not forsake us lest temptation overcome us, for yours is the kingdom, with your only Son and your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: + Peace be with you.

Cong: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads before the God of mercy, before his forgiving altar, and before the Body and Blood of our Saviour, who gives life to those who partake of him, and receive the blessing from the Lord.

Cel: O Lord, bless your faithful people who bow before you. Deliver us from all harm and make us worthy to share in these Divine Mysteries, with purity and holiness, that through them we may be forgiven and made holy, and we raise glory to you, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: + The grace of the most Holy Trinity, eternal and consubstantial, be with you, my brothers and sisters, for ever.

Cong: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Let each one of us look to God with reverence and humility and ask him for mercy and compassion.

Invitation to Communion Cel: Holy Gifts for the holy,

with perfection, purity, and sanctity.

Cong: One Holy Father, one Holy Son, one Holy Spirit! Blessed be the name of the Lord, for he is one in heaven and on earth; to him be glory, for ever.

All: Make us worthy, O Lord God, so that our bodies may be sanctified by your holy Body and our souls purified by your forgiving Blood. May our communion be for the forgiveness of our sins and for new life. O Lord our God, to you be glory, for ever.

Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Communion Hymn STAND

Cel: Again and again we thank you, O Lord, and raise glory to you, for giving us your Body to eat and your living Blood to drink. O Lover of all people, have mercy on us.

Cong: Have mercy on us, O Lord. O compassionate and merciful One, O Lover of all people, have mercy on us.

Thanksgiving Hymn

Thanksgiving SIT

Cel: We thank you, Lord God and Father, and we ask that this divine Communion be for the forgiveness of sins and the glory of your holy name, and that of your only Son and of your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Cel: + Peace be with you.

Cong: And with your spirit.

Cel: Lord Jesus, our God and Saviour, you became flesh for our sake and by sacrificing yourself you saved us. Deliver us from damnation and make us temples of your holy name, for we are your people and your inheritance. We glorify and honour you, your Father, and your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Final Blessing STAND

Cel: Go in peace, my beloved brothers and sisters, with the nourishment and blessings you have received from the forgiving altar of the Lord. May the blessing of the Most Holy Trinity accompany you: the Father +, and the Son +, and the Holy Spirit +, the one God, to whom be glory, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Final Hymn